What are people saying about The Pathway to Love:

“Insightful, practical, heartfully and psychologically sound, The Pathway to Love provides the steppingstones to creating genuine love in your life. It is a must-read for those who value honesty, authentic commitment to self and other, and appreciate relationship as a vehicle to self-actualization.”

You will wonder at times how she knew about you and a particular significant other because she seems to describe you and the relationship to a T. And, when you read the last page you will wish you had read it years and a number of relationships earlier.

Irene Conlan

I have read other books on this topic which spoke to me... This book, which I got in the Kindle version, pulled it all together for me--the biology, personal values, self identity, the human quest for belonging and intimacy. The book... brought to me great understanding. I wish I had ordered the paper version with the workbook. I ended up going back and ordering it.

Paula Markgraf Katz

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Entries in birthdays
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I remember the day I turned 50. In fact, I believe I wrote a blog about hitting that milestone five short years ago. So as another five years have passed, I can’t help but take the time to reflect.

The past five years have flown by and I can’t believe how different my life is. A lot has happened in just five years. But let’s face it. As I look back on each half decade, I can say the same. A lot happens. Life happens.

In the past five years I have gotten married, buried my mother, bought a house, taken on new and challenging work as a consultant, moved offices and expanded my therapy practice, launched my Pathway to Love books and program, hosted a radio show, had one surgery, launched my children off to college, and adopted one rescue dog. Seems like a lot J.

But if I look back on my years in blocks of decades or half decades, my list would be as extensive as the one listed above—different, but still full. So here is what I’ve concluded from my wise and not so wise 55 years on the planet.

Living a life filled with joys and sorrows, old friends and new loves, change and adventures, stagnation and frustration, and challenges and triumphs, is a life worth living. Appreciate looking back on your half decades with awe in how much you lived and how alive your life is.

Life doesn’t stop coming. We can choose what comes our way or fight and resist. It will come our way regardless. Better to embrace life and journey through it.

My greatest challenge is to live with ambiguity and the unknown. It feels great when I have the sense of control over my life and make choices that result in what I intended. The challenge is to settle into the unknown and manage the ambiguities of life. The better I get at doing this, the less stress I feel. Living with the unknown with grace and ease is the secret sauce to a stress free life.

People come first. The relationships I value are more important than money, things, accomplishments and ego. Make sure your choices are in alignment with caring for the people you love. You will never regret these choices—although you may regret choosing otherwise.

The older I get, the less important I feel I am. Yes, I know I’m important to the people who love me and I know I’m important in regards to the impact my work has on others. But in an existential sense, I will leave this life one day and life will go on just fine without me. While I hope to have made a positive impact on the world, in the bigger scheme of things, I am not that important. The world (and Universe) is comprised of billions and billions of influences. It continues to exist and evolve as it grows with each passing moment, just like our lives themselves. I’m learning not to take myself or my life too seriously. Perspective is always a gift.

I hope you have found value from my musings on this 55th anniversary of my life. Regardless of what year you are passing through, take the time to reflect on how much life you have lived. Appreciate what you have overcome and what you have created. Your life is brilliant. You are important. Your heart is meant to be shared with others. Happy Birthday!!

Be well,

Julie

If you or someone you know is wanting to create a life filled with purpose and love, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I'm here to help. I provide personalized counseling and coaching. Take advantage of the opportunity to receive the support and guidance you deserve. You don’t need to wait. You can begin the process today.